Fountain syringe



Sept. 1 8, 1934. J CHENOWETH v 1,973,845

FOUNTAIN SYRINGE v Filed NOV. 10, 1932 -1=1q. 1

ATTORNEYS.

Patented Sept. 18, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFics This invention relates to a fountain syringe and particularly that type effective as a vaginal douche. v

The principal object of the invention is to provide a syringe which will effectively direct'a spray, maintain atmospheric pressure and a balanced suction drainage in such manner as to eliminate undue pressure or suction which is detrimental to the tissues of the cavity.

It may be well described as differing from the usual return flow devices in common use wherein (1) the spray is directed against the cervix and vaginal vault and by shifting the tube the whole vaginal canal' may be reached as well; (2) the return flow is induced by positive suction with free admission of air as distinguished from blocking the vaginal orifice; (3) the vagina is not distended by water pressure but naturally by the falling away of the abdominal organs when suitably elevated; l) no appreciable suction is created on the vaginal walls and pelvic organs, and leakage may be prevented by suitable elevation of the hips and taking the water out of the most dependent portions of the cavity as rapidly as it is introduced, as distinguished from blocking the orifice and thereby creating pressure.

It may be noted that in the usual return flow device, it is only by mechanical pressure on the one hand, and suction by siphonage of the overflow on the other, that they accomplish results, but only with objectionable and destructive pressure and suction which is detrimental to the tissues and organs. 1

Briefly, therefore, the purpose of this invention is to provide a device comprising essentially a nozzle having spray openings, a waste return opening and an air passage, the nozzle being associated with a siphon for withdrawing the overflow without creating vacuum pressure, and adapted to stabilize the in-flow and out-flow so as to equalize the pressure within the cavity.

The full nature of the invention will be more clearly understood from the accompanying drawing and the following description and claim:

Fig. l is a plan view of the apparatus with parts thereof shown in section. Fig. 2 is a central vertical section through the nozzle. Fig. 3 is a section taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a section taken on the line 44 of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a plan view of a modified form with the control valve spaced from the nozzle.

In the drawing there is shown a syringe comprising a reservoir 10 for containing a quantity of water or solution to be discharged. Connected with the lower end thereof, there is a rubber tube or hose 11 having its lower end connected with an elbow 12. Suspended from the elbow there is a siphon pump comprising a siphon chamber 14 which may be in the form of a rubber or metal bulb into which the overflow pipe 15 extends to a point slightly below the'top thereof. Said pipe is associated with an upwardly-extending standpipe 16 having an'aperture 17 adjacent the lower part of the bulb. Connected with said standpipe is a flexible tube 18 connected with a trap 19 which in turn is connected with the discharge end of the apparatus in the form of the flexible outlet tube 20.

Leading from the elbow 12, there is an inflow tube 21 connected with the tubular in-fiow leg 22 of the nozzle through valve 23. Associated therewith, there is an out-flow tube 24 connected with the out-flow pipe 15 and the tubular out-flow leg 25 of said nozzle.

The nozzle may be suitably formed of glass or similar vitreous material, hard rubber or the like, and is curved, as illustrated in Fig. 2, to permit of ready insertion and proper direction of the flow.

When in position, the in-flow leg of the nozzle extends above the out'fiow leg thereof and is spaced slightly therefrom, carrying a plurality of perforations 26 suitably arranged for directing the desired spray upwardly. The end of the nozzle thereof is curved to U-shaped form with the bend between the legs forming a smoothly rounded end. The out-flow leg 25 is separated from the in-flow leg 22 by the partition wall 27 so that there can be no flow therebetween. This arrangement and form provides a rounded end to facilitate convenient insertion into the cavity. Near the rounded end of the nozzle and at the lowermost point of its curvature, there is a relatively large aperture 28 formed in the out-flow leg 25. Between the legs 22 and 25, there is formed an air passage 29, provided with a plurality of perforations 30, which extends from the aperture 28 to the valve 23 so as to permit of free ingress and egress of air to the cavity when the nozzle is inserted therein.

In operation, the reservoir 10, which may be in the form of a rubber bag, is filled with the water or solution to be used, and supported at a point above the operative position of the nozzle. The nozzle is inserted in the cavity as desired and the handle 31 of the valve 23, which normally is positioned to bypass the water directly from the tube 11 into the siphon chamber 14 until it is completely filled and the water overflows through the trap 19 and outlet tube 20. The handle of the valve is then turned to open the passage to the in-flow leg 22. The water under pressure, due to the height of the reservoir 10, will thereupon be discharged into the cavity through the discharge apertures 26 so as to normally direct a spray thereof upwardly. Simultaneously, the flow of water from the chamber 14 of the siphon will create a partial vacuum therein such as to induce a suction through the out-flow tube 24 which will draw the sprayed water, secretion, or other substance, through the enlarged aperture 28 and the out-flow leg 25 of the nozzle. This outhow will replenish the fluid in the chamber 1401. of the siphon so as to maintain sufiicient level therein to continue the siphoning action or suction, but by reason of the size of the aperture 1 7 in the standpipe 16 in respect to the in-flow leg of the nozzle and the perforations 26, the in-flow and out-flow induced by the suction will be thereby stabilized in a balanced condition.

By reason of this balanced condition, the quantity of water discharged will be equalized with respect to the water withdrawn and likewise the pressure due to the discharge of water will be equalized by the pressure of the suction. Consequently, such equalization or balancing of the pressures in the cavity will permit of a continuous operation without disturbing the walls or organs through improper pressure or suction thereon. At the same time, the free passage of air through the air passage 29 between the legs of the nozzle will maintain atmospheric pressure at all times during the operation.

From the foregoing, it will be observed that a constant suction and drainage, which is allimportant in such an operation, may be continuously maintained without destructive pressure being built up in the cavity.

While one specific form of apparatus is herein described, it is understood that various other forms may be employed for accomplishing the same purpose in substantially the same manner, and particularly Where such apparatus may be of a builtin type employing various means of balanced suction.

Furthermore, the term reservoir as used in the appended claims has reference to any suitable source of supply of the water or solution to be used such as a hydrant or the like.

The invention claimed is:

A syringe nozzle having internal partitions dividing the same into three longitudinal passageways, the upper of said passageways communicating with the interior of the body cavity to be irrigated adjacent the tip of the nozzle and with a souree'of irrigating fluid adjacent the base of the nozzle and serving as an'inflow channel, the central passageway communicating with the interior of the body cavity adjacent the tip of the nozzle and with atmosphere adjacent the base of the nozzle and serving to maintain atmospheric pressure within said cavity, and the lower passageway communicating with the under side of the central passageway adjacent the tip of the nozzle and with a discharge tube adjacent the base of the nozzle and serving as an outflow conduit.

JAMES S.- CHENOWETH. 

